Gulf Shores Getaway

10/03/2026

The Blue Angels have 3 more Pensacola practices scheduled this year.

October 14*
October 20
October 28*

See where to watch, current NAS Pensacola access rules and tips for making practice day easier.

See the full guide 👇
www.mustdopensacola.com/blueangelspractices

09/14/2026

🇺🇸 Coming to Orange Beach This Weekend? Put Freedom Fest on Your List!
The 6th Annual Orange Beach Freedom Fest takes over The Wharf this Saturday and Sunday, September 19–20, and it’s one of those events where there’s something for almost everyone.

🚘 Bama Coast Cruisin’ fills Main Street and Wharf Parkway with classic cars, hot rods and custom rides.

🎶 There will be FREE live music throughout both days, plus arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, outdoor displays and plenty to walk around and see.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bringing the kids? There’s a Kids’ Zone near the Ferris wheel with inflatables and activities, and the Orange Beach Wildlife Center will be there with some animal friends.

🏍️ Saturday also includes a motorcycle and Jeep rally, including a police-escorted beach ride.
🗓️ Saturday, September 19: 9 AM–5 PM
🗓️ Sunday, September 20: 10 AM–3 PM

📍 The Wharf — Orange Beach

💰 Admission to Freedom Fest and the car show is FREE. There is a separate admission charge for the Collectible Fi****ms Show inside the Orange Beach Event Center.

🚗 Parking is available at The Wharf, and the City is also running shuttles from Orange Beach Middle/High School both days.
If you’re visiting Gulf Shores or Orange Beach next weekend, this is an easy way to spend a few hours away from the beach without spending much at all.

For more things to do, local events, restaurants and visitor information, check out www.GulfShoresTourism.com⁠

Independent Gulf Shores visitor guide for restaurants, live music, family fun, boating, golf, attractions and day trips.

09/10/2026

🐊 Need a Break From the Beach? Here’s a FREE Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Activity Many Visitors Miss

A beach vacation doesn’t have to be all beach — especially when you have kids who are ready for something different.

The Gulf State Park Nature Center is a great little side trip where visitors can learn about the animals and ecosystems of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

🐢 The Nature Center has live animal ambassadors that can include turtles, snakes, owls and even alligators, and the park offers educational programs such as nature walks, beach walks and pier walks.
Alabama State Parks

💰 Admission to the Nature Center is FREE.

🕘 Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–4 PM

📍 22120 Campground Road, Orange Beach

One thing to know before you go: the Nature Center is inside the Gulf State Park Campground. There is currently a $5 per vehicle campground entrance fee, although the Nature Center itself does not charge admission.

🎣 Make an afternoon of it: Pair your Nature Center visit with a stop at the Gulf State Park Pier. The pier is open 24 hours and has covered seating, wildlife information displays and an elevated observation deck overlooking the Gulf.

It’s an especially good option for families looking for something educational, inexpensive and away from the busiest tourist attractions.

👉 Find more ideas for your Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation at www.GulfShoresTourism.com⁠

Independent Gulf Shores visitor guide for restaurants, live music, family fun, boating, golf, attractions and day trips.

09/06/2026

🌅 FREE Thursday Night Concerts on the Beach in Gulf Shores!

If you’re visiting Gulf Shores this week, don’t miss the Sunset Series at Gulf Place Town Green / Main Public Beach.

🎶 Thursday, September 10 — S***k the Monkey
🎧 DJ: 5–6 PM
🎤 Live music: 6–8 PM

📍 Gulf Place Town Green
101 Gulf Shores Parkway, Gulf Shores

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, enjoy the Gulf breeze, and catch live music right by the beach. The event also includes family-friendly activities and local vendors.

And there’s one more Sunset Series date coming up:

🎵 Thursday, September 17 — Frank Brown Songwriters
Live music from 5–8 PM

Best of all — admission is FREE.

For more Gulf Shores events, restaurants, beaches, attractions, and local visitor information, visit www.GulfShoresTourism.com or Www.gulfshoresdolphinvillas.com

Independent Gulf Shores visitor guide for restaurants, live music, family fun, boating, golf, attractions and day trips.

09/04/2026

🎶 Looking for Something to Do Off the Beach This Weekend?

If you’re in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach for Labor Day weekend, Downtown OWA in Foley has a strong lineup Friday, September 4.

🇺🇸 Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights runs from 4–10 PM with FREE live music on OWA Island. It continues again Saturday, September 5, so you have two chances to catch it. Bring a chair, grab dinner nearby, and enjoy live music outdoors after a day at the beach.

🎤 Also Friday night, country music favorite Pam Tillis performs at the OWA Theater at 7:30 PM. She’s known for hits including Maybe It Was Memphis, Shake the Sugar Tree, and Mi Vida Loca.

🚗 Then on Saturday, OWA hosts its Labor Day Car Show from 9 AM–4 PM, with classic cars, custom builds, trucks, motorcycles, and more.

OWA is in Foley, just a short drive north of Gulf Shores, and it can be a great change of pace when you want an afternoon or evening away from the sand.

👉 Find more Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley events, restaurants, attractions, and local visitor information at www.GulfShoresTourism.com or Gulfshoresdolphinvillas.com

Independent Gulf Shores visitor guide for restaurants, live music, family fun, boating, golf, attractions and day trips.

09/01/2026

🎃 A New Halloween Attraction Is Coming to OWA in Foley.

If you’ll be visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast this fall and like a good scare, OWA has announced Primal Fear, a new immersive Halloween attraction in Downtown OWA.

📅 Dates: September 25–26; October 2–3, 9–10, 16–17, and 22–31, 2026
📍 Location: Downtown OWA, Foley, Alabama

Primal Fear is designed as a psychological-horror experience with enclosed passages, visual effects, live scares, and a maze-style setup.

This could be a fun evening option for visitors staying in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach who want something different after a day at the beach.
For more Gulf Shores and Orange Beach trip ideas, events, restaurants, beaches, and local visitor information, visit www.GulfShoresTourism.com.

👻 Haunted Hustle Returns to Gulf Shores This October
Looking for a family-friendly Halloween event during your Gulf Shores trip?

The Haunted Hustle is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Gulf Place Town Green and Gulf Shores Public Beach.

🎃 Festivities begin at 4:00 PM
👻 Wicked Walk costume parade at 6:00 PM
🏃 Monster Dash beach run at 6:30 PM
🌙 Haunted Hustle 5K at 7:00 PM

The event also includes music, kids’ activities, games, candy, and plenty of Halloween fun near the beach.
It’s a great option for families visiting Gulf Shores in October—and another reason fall can be a great time to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast.
For more upcoming events, restaurants, beaches, attractions, and local travel tips, visit www.GulfShoresTourism.com.

Independent Gulf Shores visitor guide for restaurants, live music, family fun, boating, golf, attractions and day trips.

08/31/2026

🌴 Headed to Gulf Shores for Labor Day Weekend? Here Are a Few Things Worth Putting on Your List
Labor Day weekend doesn’t have to be just beach, eat, repeat—although there’s nothing wrong with that! If you’ll be around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach September 4–7, there’s quite a bit happening along the coast.
🎆 Fireworks at The Wharf — Orange Beach
The Wharf’s Light Up Labor Day celebration includes live music, entertainment on Main Street and a fireworks show at 8:45 PM, followed by the SPECTRA laser light show. It’s a good evening option when everyone has had enough sun for the day. �
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
🎣 See the Big Fish Come In
The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club’s Labor Day Invitational runs September 3–6 at Orange Beach Marina. You don’t have to fish the tournament to enjoy it—spectators can stop by the evening weigh-ins and see what the boats brought back from the Gulf. �
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
🎵 Free Live Music at OWA
If you don’t mind the short drive up to Foley, Downtown OWA has free live music from 4–10 PM Friday and Saturday, September 4–5. Saturday's lineup includes Marissa Luna from American Idol, the Back Country Boys and Clay Barker. Bring a chair; food and drinks are available in Downtown OWA. �
OWA
🏃 Tacky Jack’s Bloody Mary 5K
Saturday morning brings the annual Bloody Mary 5K in Gulf Shores. Even if running on vacation isn't your idea of fun, it's one of those quirky local Labor Day traditions that's worth knowing about. �
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
🏖️ Or Skip the Schedule Entirely
September is one of our favorite times on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The Gulf is still warm, the peak-summer season is winding down, and you can spend the day on the beach and still have plenty to do after the sun goes down. �
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
We'll keep sharing local events, restaurants, beaches and things worth knowing before your next Gulf Shores trip.
Save this post if you're coming down for Labor Day—and send it to whoever is planning the trip!

08/29/2026

🌴 **Planning a Gulf Shores Vacation? Don't Spend the Whole Trip at Just One Beach!**

One of the best things about visiting Gulf Shores is that there's a lot more to explore than the stretch of sand closest to your condo.

🏖️ **Gulf Shores Public Beach**
The heart of Gulf Shores, with the Hangout, restaurants and plenty going on nearby. It's a great choice when you want to combine a beach day with walking around downtown.

🌊 **Gulf State Park**
Don't overlook the State Park. In addition to beautiful beaches, you'll find miles of trails and plenty of opportunities to see some of the area's wildlife.

🚗 **Explore beyond Gulf Shores**
Take a drive toward Orange Beach, Fort Morgan or Perdido Key and you'll find an entirely different side of the Alabama Gulf Coast. A vacation here doesn't have to mean returning to the same beach every morning.

🍤 **And save some time for the food!**
Fresh Gulf seafood is obviously a big attraction, but some of our favorite local spots aren't necessarily the places with the biggest signs. We'll be sharing more restaurant recommendations—including some of the lesser-known places worth trying.

**Local tip:** Before heading to the beach, check where you're going to park and how payment works. Gulf Shores uses ParkMobile for its paid public beach parking areas, so having the app ready can save some time when you arrive.

We're building **GulfShoresTourism.com** as a straightforward visitor's guide to Gulf Shores and the surrounding area—with information about beaches, parking, restaurants, things to do and local tips that can make your vacation easier.

Follow **Gulf Shores Getaway** and we'll keep sharing what we've learned about enjoying the Alabama Gulf Coast. 🌴☀️

08/18/2026